CLEARFIELD – A wanted Osceola Mills man has been accused of leading state troopers on a vehicular pursuit while he was intoxicated.
Chase C. Conway, 29, has been charged by Trooper John A. Bacher IV of the Clearfield-based state police with felony flight to avoid apprehension, two counts, and fleeing or attempting to elude an officer; misdemeanor DUI/controlled substance; and 11 summaries.
Conway waived his right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday during centralized court at the Clearfield County Jail. His bail was reduced from $25,000 to $15,000 monetary.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred at approximately 11:15 p.m. Sept. 4 in Decatur Township, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed with the office of Magisterial District Judge Jerome Nevling.
Bacher and Trooper Andrew Mills arrived at the Nittany Minit Mart, and Bacher observed Conway in the parking lot. Conway had recently been listed as a county fugitive with a drug-related warrant.
Bacher proceeded to approach Conway, who was outside his pick-up truck at a gas pump. When he was ordered to stop, Conway entered his truck and Bacher attempted to remove him; however, Conway reportedly fled out of the parking lot at a high rate of speed.
The trooper returned to his patrol unit, activated his emergency lights and siren and a pursuit ensued. As Conway fled, Bacher said he disregarded traffic lanes on Walton Street; he then pulled into the Dollar General Store and started to flee on foot.
Bacher and Mills gave chase until Conway entered a very thick wooded area. During a secondary search of the area, Bacher said Conway was found hiding in some thick brush. He was ordered to stop his actions but reportedly fled further into the brush.
Bacher ran after Conway for a short distance until the brush cleared to a residential area. At this point, Conway was apprehended, and Bacher said he appeared to be visibly intoxicated.
Conway was administered standard field sobriety tests, which he didn’t perform in a “satisfactory manner,” according to the affidavit.
At approximately 12:37 a.m. Sept. 5, Conway submitted to a legal blood draw and results are currently pending. Later, Conway was housed in county jail on the warrant.